Kurume, Kyushu.
We've come a long way.
I never dreamed I'd get to travel with you over summer vacation, Koizumi-san.
You just followed me uninvited.
Tokyo
Chiba
Toyama
From Tokyo, we went to Chiba.
The we went north to Aomori.
Aomori
Hakata Saga Kumamoto
We traveled along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and now we're in Kyushu.
It'll go cold if you don't hurry up and eat.
Okay.
Hey, Koizumi-san, where are we going next?
This can't be the end, right?
Of course it's not.
Loves Ramen Noodles
Ms. Koizumi
Loves Ramen Noodles
Summer vacation starts tomorrow.
Nationwide
I hope that all of you, whether you plan to attend college or not,
spend your summer vacation in a meaningful way.
Class representative, if you would.
Stand!
It's over!
Talk about liberation!
Summer break is finally here!
Where should we go?
A meaningful summer vacation, huh?
Wanna kick it off with a trip somewhere?
I'm in!
Okinawa? Daimon?
Bali!
This is gonna be the best!
How are you going to pay for that?
We'll work it out somehow.
That's right!
I have cram school, so I won't have much time to hang out.
What's more important? College or your friends?
College.
You're absolutely right.
Hey, Koizumi-san!
What are you doing over summer vacation?
Want to go on a trip with us?
Please?
Hold on, Yuu!
I'll pass.
What?!
But we could go to Okinawa, or Taiwan, or Bali,
and have all kinds of unusual ramen together!
Hey, for starters, why don't we hang out tomorrow?
No, thank you.
I'm going on a trip tomorrow.
Where to?
The entire nation of Japan.
The entire nation?
Hey, Yuu!
I'm finally here.
Good morning.
You're both late!
But we're right on time!
You have to get in line before they open!
It's summer break, so let's get our heads in the game!
She's so excited.
Three adults, separate!
Here we go!
You gotta start with this one!
You think so?
Take the picture, Yuu!
Okay.
The wild beast of Asakusa, finally tamed!
Hey, I got a "like."
Misa looks like she's having a good time.
I'm glad.
Not yesterday...
Why are we going to Asakusa the first day?
I'd rather go to Land or Sea!
Sorry, but I have cram school in the evening.
And it's my turn to make dinner tonight.
That's why we decided to go to the nearest amusement park.
Which is easier on our wallets, too.
Let's do that one next! That one!
Haunted House Famous
Let's go in the haunted house.
Roger!
Aren't we too old for a haunted house?
Jeez, those two...
That was pretty legit.
It was fun.
I thought I heard a cute little scream, too...
Don't remind me.
Let's go on that one next!
Okay!
Can we take a break first?
That was really fun.
So you had fun after all.
I guess.
Wow, yukata.
Is there some kind of festival today?
It's probably from there.
Yukata Rental
Asakusa Transformations
A rental shop, huh?
Looks fun!
This is great.
Which one do I want?
Ta-da!
That looks great!
Y-You really think so?
It's so crowded.
It is the first day of summer break.
I love when things are busy like this!
It really gets me hyped!
Not me.
What is it, Yuu?
I think I saw Koizumi-san.
Are you starting to go nuts or what?
All right!
Take it, take it!
Yay!
Fortunes
Nakamise
Jumbo Melon Buns
Getsunichido
I found the melon buns!
That's quite a long line.
Since 1945
It looks great!
Nishi-Sando
Asakusa Shrine
How about a little break?
Agreed.
Let's do it.
Here you go.
That's so pretty!
Just looking at it cools me down.
Let's eat!
Hey, didn't we have to do a report as part of our summer homework?
Oh, you mean that thing where we talk about our future?
We had an assignment like that?
You didn't even check the homework?
What are you guys going to write?
Is there something you can see yourselves doing in the future?
The future, huh?
Hmm... I don't know.
I haven't given it any serious thought yet.
I haven't even decided if I want to study further.
You don't want to go to college?
Well, if I become a pop idol or a model, I won't have time for school.
Uh, yeah. You're right.
But you're going to college, right, Jun?
What kind of schools are you thinking of?
Well, I'm actually not even close to deciding.
Just go with whatever.
I mean, entrance exams are way in the future.
Yup, yup.
I envy you two for being able to give this so little thought.
I feel like we just got dissed.
So Yuu, what are you going to do?
I guess something to do with ramen.
What? You, and not Koizumi?
I'll be doing it with her, of course.
Doing what with her, exactly?
I will...
Yes, I will bring Koizumi-san, who loves ramen, to the entire world!
Koizumi
Koizumi-san's 100 Secrets
Spotlight on the young beauty of the new generation!
Through magazines, videos, and concerts!
I feel stupid for asking you a serious question.
You're embarrassing me. Please stop.
What should we have for lunch?
You've been talking about Koizumi-san all this time.
Now we can't think of anything but ramen.
Yoroiya Ramen
Here you go.
Time to eat!
So good!
There's something about eating hot ramen on a hot day.
The other day, you said you didn't like that.
But once in a while, you just get a craving for this chuuka soba flavor.
My umeshio is really good, too.
Thank you!
That was great.
Next time, let's invite Koizumi-san, too.
She might even be here now.
Nah, no way.
She said she was going on a trip today.
Recycled Kimono
Asakusa Transformations
We really enjoyed ourselves after all, huh?
Because I got our spirits up.
Yeah, yeah.
I guess I'll be going, then. It's almost time for cram school.
I'm going home this way, too.
Okay. Well, I'm going this way.
See you!
Later.
Bye!
I want to come here again sometime.
Hopefully, next time, it'll be with Koizumi-san.
Look at this, Koizumi-san.
These chopsticks look perfect for eating ramen.
Oh!
Yuu-san, these look so good.
You're right.
It's beautiful.
It's like the starry sky fell to Earth.
You're quite the romantic, aren't you?
All right!
Sometime during summer break, I'm going to invite Koizumi-san here!
I'll pass.
K-Koizumi-san?!
What are you doing here?
How am I supposed to answer that?
You said you were going on a trip today!
I did. So I'll be leaving now.
Wait, wait! Look!
Yoroiya Ramen
Did you know that place has some amazing soy sauce ramen?
Of course I did.
It's surprising to find ramen in Asakusa.
Surprising?
What are you talking about?
Asakusa... is the place where it all began.
Where it all... began?
Hey, what do you have in that bag?
Ramen I'm giving as gifts, a copy of Ramen Walker,
and some ramen for when I get hungry.
I wish I was ramen.
Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles
Asakusa is the place where it all began? What does that mean?
Various stories exist, but more than 100 years ago, during the Meiji Era,
a humble Chinese-style restaurant called Rairaiken that originated
here in Asakusa made this soy sauce ramen.
They say that's the origin of Japanese ramen with char siu and bamboo shoots.
More than 100 years ago?
Yoroiya Ramen
The person who owns this restaurant was born and raised in Asakusa.
Honoring the history of Asakusa, the birthplace of ramen,
he continues to maintain the old nostalgic taste.
I didn't know that.
So that's why the ramen tasted kind of nostalgic.
You know, this is the first time I've seen you in your regular clothes.
Anyway, I have to go now.
Wait, where are you going on your trip?
Where?
Yeah!
I'm already on it.
Koizumi-san! Take me with you!
Jikaseimen Ito
This place looks quaint.
Jikaseimen Ito
I'm going in.
Hey, wait!
This is a pretty simple ramen.
These are Kujuukuri's deluxe dried sardines.
Each bowl contains a generous 40 grams of sardines, making the soup rich in umami.
Another soy sauce ramen place, huh?
Time to eat.
Delicious!
It seems simple, but the flavor has depth.
That was so good!
Aomori Niboshi Chuuka Soba
This is next.
Oh, Aomori ramen?
They specialize in dried sardines, too?
Yes.
This looks so good!
The scent of the soy sauce and dashi is amazing.
Aomori ramen, which has its origins in soba, is known for using no fat at all.
You're right! I don't see any fat at all.
It does have a really light taste.
And that brings out the taste of the sardines.
That was so good.
It's almost time.
Yoroiya Ramen
Wait, isn't this place...
I ate here earlier today with Misa and Jun.
Then you don't need to line up.
Ramen I eat with you goes into another stomach!
What is this? The soup is black!
When I was here before, they didn't have anything like this.
This is limited to their evening menu.
Limited?
This is ramen from Toyama in the Hokuriku region,
called Toyama Black.
This restaurant serves their own take on it.
I'm going to eat, too.
Such a bold flavor!
I really like the black pepper and yuzu accents.
So we've been to Aomori, and now we're in Toyama.
It really feels like we're on a trip.
Which is why I said that in the first place.
Tokyo
Toyama
The soy sauce ramen born in Tokyo's Shitamachi
made its way all over the country, undergoing all sorts of evolutions.
You can encounter ramen from all over Japan just by walking around here in Asakusa.
Aomori
I'm on a trip to experience that right now.
I see.
You really were on a trip, huh?
I said so, right from the start.
I get it.
I'm on a trip with you right now.
Well, I'm still on my trip, so...
Wait, wait!
Since I've come this far, I'll stick with you to the end.
Please!
Do as you like.
I will!
Thank you for waiting.
Hakata Ramen
Look, it's tonkotsu!
My favorite!
Time to eat!
Yum!
People simply call it "Hakata ramen," but it has many different variations.
This store's specialty is rich tonkotsu soup from tonkotsu's birthplace, Kurume,
and these straight, thin noodles.
Aomori
Kurume, Kyushu.
Toyama
Tokyo
Chiba
We've come a long way.
Hakata Saga Kumamoto
Saga Ramen
And this legendary restaurant, Saga Ramen,
has inherited the flavor of the famous restaurant in Saga, Seiyouken.
Their specialty is a thick tonkotsu soup that has simmered for months,
paired with soft, thick noodles.
You're right! These noodles are kind of thick.
The noodles are so soft.
There's a lot of variety in tonkotsu ramen, too.
Ah, thank you for that meal!
Benkei
Ramen
Asakusa Main Branch
This is the last restaurant for today.
You don't have to overextend yourself to go with me.
I've come this far! I won't leave now!
Is this a soy sauce tonkotsu?
This is Eddoko ramen, much loved in the Shitamachi district.
This is the flavor that spread out from here in Asakusa.
It looks so rich!
Time to eat!
The ramen that was created in Asakusa became tonkotsu in Kyushu, and now...
Aomori
Toyama
Tokyo
Chiba
Hakata Saga Kumamoto
...it's come back to Tokyo in this form.
I think I ate enough ramen for my entire break.
Didn't I warn you?
Yeah, you did.
I just remembered the first time you and I had ramen together.
I ate too much that day, too.
When was that?
You don't remember?
No.
Aw...
But anyway, even if we can't do it for real,
we can always go on a trip like this, through ramen.
Actually, we should go on a real trip next time!
Like to Okinawa!
I'd love to see you in a bathing suit.
No.
Stingy...
I'm going now.
Wait...
Suzumi Fireworks Display
Fireworks...
Look, Koizumi-san.
Suzumi Fireworks Display
They're doing a fireworks display next week.
Let's go together!
I'll pass.
What?! Let's go, let's go, let's go!
I want to see you in a yukata! Please, please, please...
No, thank you.
Please! Pretty please!
No.
Grooowl
Why'd you flake out when it was your turn to make dinner?
Grooowl
I was on a trip around the country.
Oh, yeah?!
Ms. Koizumi Loves Ramen Noodles
Local Instant Noodles
Household
Woo-hoo, I went on a trip around the country with Koizumi-san!
She's so cute when she's on a trip.
Enough about your dreams. Anyway, want to go to the beach with me?
Yeah, let's go!
We'll invite Koizumi-san, too.
Koizumi-san in a swimsuit... Koizumi-san in a swimsuit...
She's never, ever gonna come.
Thank you for the food!